At some point probably this summer the NCAA will ask for bids from cities wanting to serve as hosts for the 2011 and 2012 first- and second-round and regional men's basketball games.

Philadelphia will be one of those applying, a Comcast-Spectacor spokesman said Wednesday. "As soon as they let us know what's available and when we can start applying, we're absolutely interested," he said. "We're very anxious to host it again. We love it."

The city played host to first- and second-round games last Thursday and Saturday, selling out the Wachovia Center well in advance. In fact, so many people originally applied that a lottery was held last summer. Any empty seats seen during the games there likely were either tickets returned at the last minute by participating schools or were seats that had been occupied by the fans of teams that were knocked out the first day.

Philly has served as host for two finals, in 1976 and 1993, in addition to being the site of earlier round games a few other years.

Next year's lineup already has been set. First- and second-round games on Thursday, March 18, and Saturday, March 20, will take place at New Orleans (La.) Arena; Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, R.I.; HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.; and at the Spokane (Wash.) Memorial Arena. Games on the 19th and 21st will be held at HSBC Arena in Buffalo; Jacksonville (Fla.) Veterans Memorial Arena; the Bradley Center in Milwaukee; and the Ford Center in Oklahoma City.

Regionals the following weekend will be at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y.; the Delta Center in Salt Lake City; the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis; and Reliant Stadium in Houston. the semifinals (April 3) and finals (April 5) will take place in Indianapolis.

The NCAA asks for bids for consecutive years; no one from the NCAA called back Wednesday to answer a question about exactly when those opportunities for bids will go out and whether cities can apply for first- and second-round games and the regionals. The spokesman in Philly didn't care. "Whatever we're able to apply for, we'll apply for," he said. "We'd love to host anything with the NCAA. Personally I like the first- and second-round games because you get an extra session and two more games, but hosting a regional or hosting first- and second-round, we're happy to host either one."

Among other major events headed to that area will be the NCAA wrestling championships at the Washovia Center in 2011, the Tiger Woods' AT&T National at Aronimink Golf Club in suburban Philadelphia in 2010 and 2011, and the U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club in 2013.

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